The whole Cafu/Flanagan thing is a little odd, but we absolutely love it!
The legendary Brazilian took a fondness to the man now dubbed ‘Red Cafu’ after Liverpool fans on Twitter badgered him relentlessly to pay attention to Flanagan during our title charge in 2013/14.
The World Cup winner took notice, and recently paid Flanagan a visit to talk football, and told FourFourTwo just how highly he thinks of the 23-year-old, cited in the Echo.
“Sure. I paid him a visit not long ago; we had lunch and took some pictures together.
“He is very fit and has everything required to be one of the best full-backs in the world.”
This backs up quotes Cafu made back in 2014, when he compared Flanagan to himself in another FourFourTwo interview.
“I then started seeing some news saying he is the Red Cafu! So there’s nothing better than coming to the city and taking a picture with my successor,” he said.
“He has speed, strength and determination.
“He’s an athlete who goes after it and never gives it up. That’s exactly what I used to do; there were no missing chances for me, no tiredness and no being dejected.
“I see that style in him too.
“I hope he continues that way and achieves as many trophies as I did.”
Cafu added praise for departing captain Steven Gerrard in his recent interview, and while he claimed he’d have loved to play in the Premier League for us, he ruined it by namedropping two of our rivals as well!
“He [Gerrard] is a great example of character for me.
“I would have loved to play for Liverpool, Manchester United or Chelsea.”
Flanagan hasn’t actually played since the 2013/14 season, but is on the road to recovery, and we could see him back in action before Christmas (via the Independent).
It would be terrific to have a Scouser back in the lineup, and we’ve genuinely missed his energy and dedication at fullback.
The fact he can play on the left or right should make him a serious asset in the squad under the new boss, set to be Jurgen Klopp if everything goes to plan.